Kayode Outpoints Kisner, Remains Unbeaten

By Jake Donovan

MEMPHIS
--Lateef Kayode finally managed to get through a TV fight without fear of coming up short on the scorecards or his opponent in danger of failing a post-fight drug test. The unbeaten cruiserweight turned back the challenge of Baltimore's Nick Kisner, taking a 10-round decision Friday evening outdoors at W.C. Handy Pavilion in Memphis, Tennessee.

The bout was mildly competitive in the early going, with Kisner refusing to lie down and play the role of opponent. His efforts went unnoticed by the judges, with scores of 100-90 (twice) and 99-91 suggesting a one-sided rout.

It wasn't at all the case, although at no point was Kayode (21-0, 16KOs) in fear of losing. The night turned out to be just the test needed by the Hollywood-based Nigerian, who picked up his first win in more than a year.

Kayode came in on the heels of a controversial 1st round knockout loss to Luis Ortiz last September. The stoppage was overturned when it was learned that Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance, shades of Kayode's 12-round draw with Antonio Tarver in June '12.

In both instances, the verdict was overturned, thus preserving Kayode's unbeaten record.

Kisner (14-2-1, 5KOs) was valiant in defeat, but ends a two-fight win streak with the loss. The 24-year old from Baltimore previously came up short in a six-round decision to then-unbeaten Junior Wright on the road in Chicago nearly two years ago.

UNDERCARD

Josh King enjoyed a successful stateside debut, scoring a 10-round decision over a game Rogelio Casarez in their televised co-feature
.

Scores were 98-92, 99-91 and 100-90 in favor of King (20-3, 9KOs), a lightweight prospect from Australia.

Casarez (9-4, 4KOs) was clearly the crowd favorite, a regular participant on the Fights At the Fitz cards in nearby Tunica. His popularity was reflected in the crowd's displeasure over the final scores, but it was a clean win for King in a spirited fight.

King has now won eight in a row, with his past two wins taking place on the road.

Amanda Serrano picked up her 11th straight win after outpointing Fatuma Zarika over six rounds.
Scores were 60-53 (twice) and 60-54 for Serrano (24-1-1, 18KOs), who floored Zarika in the opening round. The Nuyorican southpaw appeared on her way to extending her knockout streak, but was forced to box her way to victory. Her run of 10 straight knockouts comes to a close, though she remains unbeaten since Sept. '12.

The entertaining (albeit one-sided) featherweight bout opened a live telecast on CBS Sports Network.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox